The Colombian’s team – 2nd overall 2 seconds behind Evenepoel at the start of the stage – set a steady pace from the first climbs. History not to leave too much room for breakaways and to open up the possibility of hanging bonuses on its leader.
Enough to tire the organisms over the kilometers on this stage which presented 7 climbs. In the 4th pass of the day, the terrible ‘Krabelin’, it’s Primoz Roglic who ignited the powder by blowing up the thin peloton.
Left without crew. Remco Evenepoel therefore had to fend for itself on slopes approaching 20%. He therefore fell regarding twenty seconds behind a group of 6 riders: Martinez, Vingegaard, Mas, Izagirre, Vlasov and Soler.
But while many would have given up. Evenepoel gritted his teeth and led a brisk descent to close the gap. Favored by a fall in the leading group which notably eliminated Enric Masthe leader of the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team made a first connection with part of the leading group.
Assuming all the weight of the race, he then returned to the lead of the race in the following kilometers thanks to a new skilfully executed descent.
Caught in a vice by his opponents, the Belgian burned a few cartridges in the plain to plug new gaps that had been created. Before tackling the final climb, he nevertheless found the resources to grab a bonus second in the intermediate sprint 12 km from the finish.
Evenenpoel therefore presented himself at the foot of the final ascent in the company of his main adversaries. But following such a burst of energy, the yellow jersey ended up cracking on the demanding slopes of Usartza (4.6 km at 8.8%, max. 13%). Five kilometers from the finish, Evenepoel therefore let go and let his opponents explain themselves for the final victory.
Attacked in particular by Aleksandr Vlasov, Martinez held on in the last hectometres to ensure final success while Jon Izagirre made a strong impression to clinch the final victory despite an awkward fall 3 km from goal.
